National Art Museum of Sport to disband; collection acquired by Children’s Museum
More than 900 works—in storage since the organization vacated the former University Place Conference Center—to become part of sports-focused expansion.
Visual Arts
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Running low on funds, Vonnegut museum seeks speedy outcome to legal fight
The museum devoted to the late local novelist says its lease dispute with a building owner on Massachusetts Avenue threatens the survival of the not-for-profit.
Vonnegut museum searching again for new Indianapolis home
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library planned to move to the Mass Ave cultural district after signing a lease. But the move has been sidelined after “significant structural problems” were found in the building, a museum official said.
Art education fundraising firm crafting $4M office at Fort Ben site
The local company considered buying its current home before hitting the drawing board and launching plans to build its own space.
Big Car launches affordable home-ownership program for artists
Approved artists would co-own the renovated homes in the Garfield Park neighborhood and only pay half the cost of the property.
IMA plans to restore damaged ‘LOVE’ sculpture, move it inside
The move means people must pay museum entry fees to see the iconic sculpture, which was artist Robert Indiana’s first in a series of “LOVE” works.
NFL owner’s bequest a huge score for Eiteljorg museum
Thanks to CEO John Vanausdall’s friendship–and persistence–with Tennessee Titans owner Kenneth “Bud” Adams, the Eiteljorg will open the “Titan of the West” exhibit on Nov. 12.
Museum of Contemporary Art leaving Fountain Square base
The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art plans to move out of its headquarters gallery in the Murphy Arts Center by the end of the year to make room for an expansion of bar and music venue Hi-Fi and other building renovations.
Museum of Art celebrates architecture of the coffeepot
It’s a nice surprise—especially for those caught up in the current wave of coffee-mania—to find coffeepots in a museum. The contemporary design wing of the Indianapolis Museum of Art has several in its collection.
Heartland Film names new president as it nears milestone
Craig Prater has run film festivals around the globe and brings expertise in fundraising, sponsorships and tourism. Heartland’s 25th annual festival is scheduled for October.
Marketing initiative Film Indy hires first commissioner
Teresa Sabatine’s role will be to position Indianapolis as a production-friendly city for TV commercials, TV shows, corporate training videos and movies.
Indianapolis Foundation plans new downtown festival
More than 20 light installations on downtown's Central Canal and along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will be part of a free, two-day festival in August staged in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Foundation, organizers announced Thursday night.
Meridian-Kessler church building revived as arts haven
The Indianapolis Opera and other arts organizations have found a home in the former Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church building on North Pennsylvania Street.
IU Art Museum to use $15M Eskenazi gift for major renovation
The Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington has received a $15 million naming gift from Indianapolis-based philanthropists Sidney and Lois Eskenazi, in addition to an art collection of nearly 100 works.
City-County Council approves ‘percent for art’ program
A similar measure was vetoed by former Mayor Greg Ballard last year, but this one is likely to stick.
Indiana Comic Con draws record crowd, plans to return next year
Attendance for the third annual Indiana Comic Con was up more than 4,000 and the event’s economic impact increased by $1 million, according to local tourism officials.
33 Indiana artists commemorate 100th Indy 500 race
Original works from 33 artists will be on display at businesses and community centers throughout the city as well as at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until the race.
State museum unveils previously unknown Lincoln artifact
For several generations, a southern Indiana family quietly held a bench mallet created and used by Abraham Lincoln in his youth. It’s now on loan to the Indiana State Museum.
Eiteljorg museum makes layoffs as attendance, revenue fall
The dismissal of five full-time workers marks the first layoffs for the downtown museum since 2009. But the Eiteljorg is preparing to launch a 5-year campaign to boost its $20 million endowment, a move that could stabilize operating revenue for future years.
State selects two sculptures to commemorate bicentennial
A selection committee that reviewed 104 proposals chose New York artist Osman Akan to create a sculpture called “Enduring Flame” and Bloomington artist Dale Enochs to build a sculpture called the “Living Time Piece.”